Shoppers help catch man suspected of using fake bills

Two shoppers, including an off-duty Beloit police officer, helped a store clerk capture a man suspected of using at least three counterfeit $100 bills at West Towne Mall, according to Madison police.

Police said an employee at Icing thought it was strange that a grown man would be buying jewelry that was "girly" looking. She told police she inspected the $100 bill more closely and determined it was a doctored $5 bill.

Police said the clerk chased Donte D. Thompson, 23, Milwaukee, through the mall and caught up with him as he tried to exit at Dick's Sporting Goods. She said she grabbed the man, but he wriggled free. A shopper, a 38-year old Rio man, told police he saw the confrontation and stepped in to stop Thompson. Thompson punched the man in the head and the man took Thompson to the ground, according to police. The two were wrestling on the floor when the off-duty Beloit police officer intervened.